No, I have no intention of shooting the woodpeckers....I'm shooting the carpenter bees that attract the woodpeckers. They're the root of the problem and are more challenging to shoot as well, so more fun. You just have to hang around for a bit and you'll see them head for a place they've been working, then pop them as they get set up to continue. With the 18x scope, I typically hit the hole they're working if they move suddenly, so no extra pellet damage to the timbers.

It's really phenomenal how much damage can be done in a day when the woodpeckers go after the larvae. There are places 4 inches long and nearly 3/4 deep that will have to be filled.

I will definitely pin up some string and plastic bags to help keep the birds away, good idea.

^ "I will definitely pin up some string and plastic bags to help keep the birds away, good idea."

Old CD's are reflective along with anti bird tape from Wally World (find in garden area)
I have used both and they work well. Clamped some split shot on the bottom of the tape to keep them from fluttering too much.

Surprised to seem them wearing hearing protectors. Is the impulse blast of air that loud on those rifles or are they wearing hearing protectors to just isolate themselves from their environment? I've never worn hearing protection while shooting an air rifle, but I've never shot a PCP rifle so I don't know if the sound is different.